Fred Zedeck, producer of the National Ski and Snowboard Expo, announced that he had joined forces with another individual and that they would be bringing a ski and golf expo to Baltimore, November 15-17 at the Timonium Fairgrounds. The Washington expo will be expanded this year and will include golf. Dates for the expo is November 8-10 and will be held at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly

Wayne reported that no one had offered to help on the web site so the site remains about the same except on the trip sanction page. Currently there are approximately 30 trip sanctions. Wayne reminded the council that trip sanctions would not be posted on the web until he received notification from the treasurer that the sanction fees had been paid. Wayne said that the council site was receiving 70-80 hits per day. Wayne asked the council for volunteers to work on the web site. Wayne also asked for articles of interest from the clubs for posting on the web site. Wayne said that BRSC can set up a club web page and also create mail forwarding for clubs.

Wayne said he had received only one resume for the 2004 Western Carnival coordinator position. The resume was from Steve Peirce, who Wayne felt was qualified for the position so he appointed Steve as the coordinator. Wayne said he had received two resumes for the 2004 Eurofest coordinator position. Each candidate was allowed 5 minutes to present their qualifications to the council. By ballot, the council voted Bill Schroedel as the 2004 Western Carnival coordinator.

For the spring meeting, Wayne asked that if anyone was interested, to send him a resume for the Breckenridge 2005 Winter Western Carnival coordinator position. The 2006 Western Carnival will be held in Sun Valley. Wayne entertained suggestions from the council for locations for Eurofest 2005. Areas suggested were: Zurs/Lech; Morzine; Val Gardena; Trois Vallees; and Val d’Isere. Area to be selected in the afternoon. Steve Peirce, the 2004 Western Carnival Coordinator, said that if the council agreed to a different week for Snowmass, then previously agreed upon, that the cost would be significantly less -- approximately $300.00. He would like to have some alternate dates to bring back to the council. Current dates of the Western Carnival are first full week in February. Dave Olsen moved that the council allow the dates to slip one week earlier or one week later for the coordinator to use in the bid process. Pete Chambliss seconded the motion. One opposed/rest in favor. The motion was approved. The council agreed to leave the dates, for 2004 Eurofest as the first full week in March. Dave Olsen asked for clarification when the exact dates the first full week in February and the first full week in March started. Wayne asked the council to discuss among themselves and that the question would be brought up later in the meeting.

Wayne had not received any ski safety award nominations.

Wayne asked if anyone had heard from PSIA, no report was available.

Sam Mantis reported that there would be a WSI race every Saturday and Sunday starting January 4^th through February 15th. One change to the scheduled this year will be a weekend at WISP. Sam gave a run down of the WSI race program, said that the race was open to everyone, and encouraged clubs to participate. The schedule is posted on the web site.

Dave Olsen, 2003 Winter Western Carnival Race Coordinator, reported that the race at Tahoe would be held at Alpine Meadows and will be a NASTAR race. Dave said that there are no proposed rule changes therefore the race will be operated under the existing rules. Copies of the rules were available for the council members. Dave asked that the trip leaders have their racers register on-line with NASTAR

Wayne explained that at the spring meeting the council had decided to pursue organizing a ski group type of show. Paul Webber, who organized the show last year, told Wayne that he planned to do the same for the coming year. Wayne said he had corresponded with a couple of the people who had volunteered to help out and the consensus was to postpone BRSC work on a show to see how things work out with Paul Webber. Wayne introduced Paul, who explained that there is no longer a ski group. Last year after ski group cancelled their show, the industry asked Paul to put together the Washington, Philadelphia and Boston shows, which Paul put together in approximately 10 days. This year the Philadelphia show will be on May 1st, and the mid-Atlantic ski travel show will be on Saturday, May 3rd at the BWI Embassy Suites. He is expecting to have 60 vendors at BWI and it will be a tabletop show. The show hours will probably be 11:00-3:00. Prior to the show at about 9:30 a.m. will be a trip leader training session. There was a question from the floor about why the shows could not be held in the fall since most clubs have already planned their next year’s ski season by May. Paul said that the vendors are involved in consumer shows and have other commitments in the fall. He suggested that clubs attend the spring show looking out two seasons.

Wayne gave the council a brief history of ski-o-ree and said that SCWDC was attempting to resurrect the ski-o-ree. He said that Stowe was very interested in getting the council back up to New England. Wayne introduced Cindy Bailey from Stowe, who presented a proposal for a trip to Stowe in 2004. Discussion ensued on means of travel. Consensus of the council was to fly and do a mid-week, Sunday to Friday package. Stowe’s race program is NASTAR qualified. Cindy entertained suggestions from the floor on items to be included in the package.

Wayne discussed the National Ski Federation and what it can do for ski clubs. One benefit is discounts and Wayne listed the current discounts available. Wayne said the discounts will be available on the web site.

The council broke for lunch at 11:40 a.m. and reconvened at 12:57 p.m.